Outdoor Notes: Dec. 9-16

There will be an evergreen ID event from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Gardiner.

Tour Daniel Smiley Research Center - Mohonk Preserve, 3197 Route 44/55, Gardiner. 1:30-3 p.m. Dec. 9. Paul Huth, Mohonk Preserve director of research emeritus, will lead a tour through the historic and diverse collections at the Mohonk Preserve Daniel Smiley Research Center, discussing its value to science, public outreach and land management at the Mohonk Preserve. Ages 15 and up are welcome. Children must always be accompanied by an adult. This is an indoor program. Reservations are required. Call 845-255-0919 for reservations and meeting location. Free. www.mohonkpreserve.org

Author to talk about book on kayaking, river - Pine Plains Free Library, Pine Plains. 2-4 p.m. Dec. 9. Visiting Associate Professor of Writing at Bard College, Susan Fox Rodgers, will talk about her new book, "My Reach: A Hudson River Memoir," which relays her growth as a kayaker and her discovery of herself and the Hudson River as she explores the river and challenges such as kayaking from Albany to Manhattan.

Bushwhack at Mombaccus and Little Rocky mountains - Mombaccus and Little Rocky Mountains, Catskills. 8 a.m. Dec. 15. A strenuous nine-mile 2,600-foot ascent hike with the mid-Hudson chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. At 3,015 feet, Little Rocky is one of the Catskill highest peaks under 3,500 feet. Little Rocky is little, but challenging, with steep terrain, spectacular cliffs and rock formations. With the leaves down, there will be some views. Participants will take the Kanape Brook Trail for a little more than 2.5 miles, then bushwhack up Mombaccus and Little Rocky. Bring lunch, water, headlamp and microspikes or stabilicers if there might be ice. Rain cancels. Meet in the lower lot of the Poughkeepsie Railroad Station. Look for a turquoise Ford Flex with a silver roof. Contact hikeleader Russ Faller at 845-297-5126 (before 9:30 p.m.) or russoutdoors@yahoo.com or visit www.midhudsonadk.org

Christmas Bird Count - Ulster County. Dec. 15. Participate in the longest running citizen science effort in the world. Contact Steve Chorvas at 845-246-5900 or schorvas@verizon.net for assignment in the Mohonk Lake/Ashokan Reservoir count circle. Be prepared for a full day out of doors. Reports from feeder watchers in the count circle are also desired. Please contact Steve regarding details about compilation get together afterward, submission of records, and weather postponement. Visit www.jbnhs.org

Evergreen ID program - Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Route 44/55, New Paltz. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 15. A one-mile hike led by Park Educator Nick Martin with instruction in the distinguishing characteristics between many of the evergreens populating Minnewaska. Parking is $8 per car. Pre-registration is required; call 845-255-0752.

Hike at Wonder Lake State Park - Wonder Lake State Park, Putnam County. Dec. 15. A walk with the mid-Hudson chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club near Patterson.Contact leader Sue Mackson at 845-471-9892 or suemackson@gmail.com for time and meeting place. www.midhudsonadk.org

Singles and Sociables hike to Black Rock Mountain - Black Rock Mountain, Harriman State Park. Dec. 16. A strenuous, eight-mile hike led by Gary Curasi for adults. New hikers are encouraged to contact Curasi prior to the hike at 845-534-2886 for information on hike levels. Participants should call Curasi for time, meeting place, etc., by Dec. 13. www.mohonkpreserve.org